8884936

Display Control Device, Display Control Method, and Non-Transitory Computer Readable Medium Storing Program

PublishedNovember 11, 2014
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
InventorsTakao MAEKAWA
Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
10 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A display control device comprising: a detecting unit that detects whether an external storage device is inserted into an image forming apparatus; an analyzing unit that analyzes the type of file stored in the external storage device when the detecting unit detects that the external storage device is inserted; and a display control unit that specifies a function related to the type of file among the functions of the image forming apparatus on the basis of the analysis result of the analyzing unit and displays a display screen to which the specified function is allocated on a display unit, wherein the display control unit specifies a first print function related to a first type of file and displays a first display screen corresponding to the first print function in response to the analysis result determining the first type of file stored in the external storage device, wherein the display control unit specifies a second print function related to a second type of file and displays a second display screen corresponding to the second print function in response to the analysis result determining the second type of file stored in the external storage device, wherein, when a plurality of types of files are analyzed by the analyzing unit, the analyzing unit counts the number of files of each type, when a plurality of types of files are analyzed by the analyzing unit, the display control unit specifies the function related to the file type with the largest number of files among the file types which are counted by the analyzing unit and displays the display screen of the specified function on the display unit, and when one file type is analyzed, the display control unit displays the display screen of the function allocated to the file type on the display unit.

Plain English Translation

A display control device for an image forming apparatus (e.g., printer, scanner, copier) automatically selects and displays a function-specific screen based on the type of file detected on a newly inserted USB drive. The device detects insertion, analyzes the file types (e.g., PDF, JPG), and prioritizes the display. If multiple file types are present, it counts the number of each type and displays the function associated with the most frequent file type. For example, if there are more PDF files than JPG files, a print screen is shown, even if JPG files are also present. If only one file type is detected, the corresponding function screen is shown.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The display control device according to claim 1 , wherein the file is stored in the external storage device so as to be associated with time information indicating time, when a plurality of types of files are analyzed by the analyzing unit, the analyzing unit extracts the time information of each file type, when a plurality of types of files are analyzed by the analyzing unit, the display control unit specifies the function related to the latest file type from the time information of each file type which is extracted by the analyzing unit and displays the display screen of the specified function on the display unit, and when one file type is analyzed, the display control unit displays the display screen of the function allocated to the file type on the display unit.

Plain English Translation

Building upon the device described previously where the system analyzes the file type on a USB drive and suggests a printing function, this enhancement uses timestamps associated with files. If multiple file types are present, instead of counting file types, the system analyzes the timestamps to find the most recently modified file type, and suggests a function related to that file type. For example, if there's an older PDF and a newer JPG file, the system shows the image viewing/printing options, even if PDFs are also present.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The display control device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a recording medium detecting unit that detects whether a recording medium is disposed at an image reading position of an image reading device, wherein, when the detecting unit detects that the external storage device is inserted and the recording medium detecting unit detects the recording medium, the display control unit displays a display screen to which a function of storing an image of the recording medium in the external storage device is allocated on the display unit, instead of the display screen of the specified function.

Plain English Translation

Extending the described display control device that detects USB insertion and suggests functions, this version adds a scanner detection component. If both a USB drive is inserted AND a document is detected on the scanner bed, the device prioritizes a "scan-to-USB" function. The screen displaying file-type-based function suggestions is bypassed, and the device instead shows the screen dedicated to scanning the document and saving it to the inserted USB drive.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The display control device according to claim 3 , further comprising: an operation receiving unit that receives an operation from a user, wherein, during the display of the display screen of the specified function on the display unit, when the operation receiving unit receives an operation of instructing the execution of the specified function, the display control unit displays a first list screen on the display unit such that the user selects any one of the functions of the image forming apparatus, and when the operation receiving unit receives a predetermined specific operation, the display control unit displays a second list screen on the display unit such that the user selects any one of functions related to the external storage device.

Plain English Translation

Further extending the display control device with USB detection, file type analysis, and function suggestion, this version incorporates user input. If, after the suggested function screen is displayed, the user explicitly confirms that the suggested function is the one they desire, the device displays a general function selection screen showing *all* functions of the image forming apparatus. Alternatively, if the user performs a *specific* predefined operation, the device displays a function selection screen showing only functions related to the inserted USB drive.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The display control device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a recording medium detecting unit that detects whether a recording medium is disposed at an image reading position of an image reading device, wherein, when the detecting unit detects that the external storage device is inserted and the recording medium detecting unit detects the recording medium, the display control unit displays a display screen to which a function of storing an image of the recording medium in the external storage device is allocated on the display unit, instead of the display screen of the specified function.

Plain English Translation

Identical to Claim 3: Extending the described display control device that detects USB insertion and suggests functions, this version adds a scanner detection component. If both a USB drive is inserted AND a document is detected on the scanner bed, the device prioritizes a "scan-to-USB" function. The screen displaying file-type-based function suggestions is bypassed, and the device instead shows the screen dedicated to scanning the document and saving it to the inserted USB drive.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The display control device according to claim 5 , further comprising: an operation receiving unit that receives an operation from a user, wherein, during the display of the display screen of the specified function on the display unit, when the operation receiving unit receives an operation of instructing the execution of the specified function, the display control unit displays a first list screen on the display unit such that the user selects any one of the functions of the image forming apparatus, and when the operation receiving unit receives a predetermined specific operation, the display control unit displays a second list screen on the display unit such that the user selects any one of functions related to the external storage device.

Plain English Translation

Identical to Claim 4: Further extending the display control device with USB detection, file type analysis, and function suggestion, this version incorporates user input. If, after the suggested function screen is displayed, the user explicitly confirms that the suggested function is the one they desire, the device displays a general function selection screen showing *all* functions of the image forming apparatus. Alternatively, if the user performs a *specific* predefined operation, the device displays a function selection screen showing only functions related to the inserted USB drive.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. A display control device comprising: a detecting unit that detects whether an external storage device is inserted into an image forming apparatus; an analyzing unit that analyzes the type of file stored in the external storage device when the detecting unit detects that the external storage device is inserted; and a display control unit that specifies a function related to the type of file among the functions of the image forming apparatus on the basis of the analysis result of the analyzing unit and displays a display screen to which the specified function is allocated on a display unit, wherein the display control unit specifies a first print function related to a first type of file and displays a first display screen corresponding to the first print function in response to the analysis result determining the first type of file stored in the external storage device, wherein the display control unit specifies a second print function related to a second type of file and displays a second display screen corresponding to the second print function in response to the analysis result determining the second type of file stored in the external storage device, wherein the file is stored in the external storage device so as to be associated with time information indicating time, when a plurality of types of files are analyzed by the analyzing unit, the analyzing unit extracts the time information of each file type, when a plurality of types of files are analyzed by the analyzing unit, the display control unit specifies the function related to the latest file type from the time information of each file type which is extracted by the analyzing unit and displays the display screen of the specified function on the display unit, and when one file type is analyzed, the display control unit displays the display screen of the function allocated to the file type on the display unit.

Plain English Translation

A display control device for an image forming apparatus (e.g., printer, scanner, copier) automatically selects and displays a function-specific screen based on the type of file detected on a newly inserted USB drive. The device detects insertion, analyzes the file types (e.g., PDF, JPG), and prioritizes the display. If multiple file types are present, the system analyzes the timestamps to find the most recently modified file type, and suggests a function related to that file type. For example, if there's an older PDF and a newer JPG file, the system shows the image viewing/printing options, even if PDFs are also present. If only one file type is detected, the corresponding function screen is shown.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The display control device according to claim 7 , further comprising: a recording medium detecting unit that detects whether a recording medium is disposed at an image reading position of an image reading device, wherein, when the detecting unit detects that the external storage device is inserted and the recording medium detecting unit detects the recording medium, the display control unit displays a display screen to which a function of storing an image of the recording medium in the external storage device is allocated on the display unit, instead of the display screen of the specified function.

Plain English Translation

Building upon the device described where the system analyzes the file type and timestamps of a USB drive, this version adds a scanner detection component. If both a USB drive is inserted AND a document is detected on the scanner bed, the device prioritizes a "scan-to-USB" function. The file-type and timestamp based function suggestions are bypassed. The device shows the screen dedicated to scanning the document and saving it to the inserted USB drive.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The display control device according to claim 8 , further comprising: an operation receiving unit that receives an operation from a user, wherein, during the display of the display screen of the specified function on the display unit, when the operation receiving unit receives an operation of instructing the execution of the specified function, the display control unit displays a first list screen on the display unit such that the user selects any one of the functions of the image forming apparatus, and when the operation receiving unit receives a predetermined specific operation, the display control unit displays a second list screen on the display unit such that the user selects any one of functions related to the external storage device.

Plain English Translation

Further extending the display control device with USB and scanner detection, as well as file-type and timestamp analysis, this version incorporates user input. If, after the suggested function screen is displayed, the user explicitly confirms that the suggested function is the one they desire, the device displays a general function selection screen showing *all* functions of the image forming apparatus. Alternatively, if the user performs a *specific* predefined operation, the device displays a function selection screen showing only functions related to the inserted USB drive.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. A display control method comprising: detecting whether an external storage device is inserted into an image forming apparatus; analyzing the type of file stored in the external storage device when it is detected that the external storage device is inserted; and specifying a function related to the type of file among the functions of the image forming apparatus on the basis of the analysis result and displaying a display screen to which the specified function is allocated on a display unit, wherein a first print function related to a first type of file is specified and a first display screen corresponding to the first print function is displayed in response to the analysis result determining the first type of file stored in the external storage device, wherein a second print function related to a second type of file is specified and a second display screen corresponding to the second print function is displayed in response to the analysis result determining the second type of file stored in the external storage device, wherein, when a plurality of types of files are analyzed by the analyzing, the analyzing comprises counting the number of files of each type, and wherein the specifying comprises: when a plurality of types of files are analyzed by the analyzing, specifying the function related to the file type with the largest number of files among the file types which are counted by the analyzing and displaying the display screen of the specified function on the display unit, and when one file type is analyzed by the analyzing, displaying the display screen of the function allocated to the file type on the display unit.

Plain English Translation

A display control method for an image forming apparatus automatically selects and displays a function-specific screen based on the type of file detected on a newly inserted USB drive. The method detects insertion, analyzes the file types (e.g., PDF, JPG), and prioritizes the display. If multiple file types are present, it counts the number of each type and displays the function associated with the most frequent file type. For example, if there are more PDF files than JPG files, a print screen is shown, even if JPG files are also present. If only one file type is detected, the corresponding function screen is shown.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

November 11, 2014

Inventors

Takao MAEKAWA

Want to explore more patents?

Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.

Citation & reuse

Analysis on this page is generated by Patentable — an AI-powered patent intelligence platform. AI-generated summaries, explanations, FAQs, and analysis may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL below. Patent abstracts and claims are USPTO public domain.

Cite as: Patentable. “DISPLAY CONTROL DEVICE, DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM” (8884936). https://patentable.app/patents/8884936

© 2026 Nomic Interactive Technology LLC. Machine-readable context available at /api/llm-context/8884936. See llms.txt for full attribution policy.